Overdrive control system



E. M. CLAYTOR OVERDRIVE CONTROL sYsTEk May 5; 1942.

Filed Sept. 19, 1940 ENGAGING 72/4- AOCMNG 209 M L a r: SUN-65:41? w-MaaFkaP/m' Edward W323? WHY fa 7 A1TORNEY8 Patented May UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE I 2,281,316 I I I ovsn'nmvr: commoners-mu r a i-31 mit fitofiim; at)", merit: I

corporation of Delaware Application September 19, mo, Serlal No. 351,454

) llOl aimalCLlilfl-Q 1 This invention relates to electrical systems for controlling pverdrives on automobiles. In systems now in use, the rendering of overdrive opspeed. A switch automatically closes in response to a vehicle speed of 25 M. P. H., for example, to

precondition the overdrive control for going into overdrive. When the accelerator pedal is releasedto permit engine speed to be reduced a predeterminedpercentage below vehicle speed,

.Fig. 2 is a fragmentary diagram illustrating a modification of the diaphragm shown in Fig. 1.

While the present invention is not restricted to the control of any particular type of overdrive, I have chosen to disclose my invention in connection with the type of overdrive in which a pawl is urged under spring pressure by the 22 bearing against a fixed part 23 so that the the overdrive becomes automatically operative.

Coming out of overdrive is effected by the opening of a driver operated switch. For this purpose a switch is caused to open by the depressing of the throttle pedal 9. little beyond wide open throttle position. Partial raising of the throttle pedal will permit the throttle switch to close again and an additional-raising of the pedal when done quickly, will restore the overdrive. At

speeds below the closing speed of the vehiclespeed-responsive switch or governor switch, the

driver has no control of the overdrive. He can not maintain the overdrive operative at relatively low vehicle speeds even thoughit might tains a certain value, for example, M. P. H.,

but by which the overdrive will remain operative although the vehicle speed may fall to'a relatively low value, for example, 9 M. P.- H., and by which the overdrive may be rendered inoperative if the driver so desires. Such a system can be used advantageously when the vehicle is mov-' ing slowly down a steep grade and the engine is being used as a brake. The engine'will be more effective tobrake the'vehicle speed if the transmission is in overdrive at low vehicle speeds. In present overdrive systems the car freewheels when not in overdrive, even for any forward gear setting. -'The present invention therefore provides means for'avoiding the "freewheeling status of the vehicle t low speeds so that the engine may be used as a rake.

Further objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following description, reference being had to the accompanying drawing wherein preferred embodiments of the present invention are clearly shown.

In the drawing:

Fig. l is'a wiring diagram illustrating an embodiment of the presentinvention.

-' holding coil 33.

pawl 20' is normally urged against a fixed "part 24 and out of engagement with a sun-gear looking ring (not shown). The central recess 25 in the tubular upper part of pawl 20 receives a button 26 and a spring 21. Button 23 has lugs '23 received by notches 23 in pawl 20. Lugs 23 are engaged by springs 22 which hold the button 26 up against the fixed part 24. Spring 21 yieldingly transmits downward movement of button 23, to pawl 20.

Downward movement of button 26 is eifected by a rod 30' resting upon button 26 and supporting a solenoid armature 3| in the magnetic field of armature attracting coil 32 and armature Coil 32 is connected with ground through a normally closed switch having a fixed contact 35 and a movable contact 36 on a grounded, resilient blade 31. Blade 31 has a hole through which there extends a rod 38 carrying a head 39 normally spaced above blade 31. When the armature 3| has been attracted downwardly a certain distance toward a fixed core (not shown) by the combined eifect of both coils 32 and 33, when energized, the blade 31 will be moved by the head 39 downwardly to separate contacts 35,

33 thereby open-circuiting coil 32. Holding coil 33 is operative to maintain the armature 3| in attracted position.

Downward movement of button 26 causes the pawl 20 to 'be urged downwardly to effect its engagement with the sungear locking ring (not shown) thereby rendering the overdrive operative. -Open circuiting the coil 33 by means to be described, permits spring 22 to retract pawl 1 20 thereby causing the overdrive to become inplated end against which the armature l4 seals Coil 33 is directly grounded.

Contacts 42 and 43 make a connection with battery 5. Contacts 42a and 43a make a connection with ignition switch l8 independent ofcontacts I6 and H of relay I6. I Battery is connected with an armature attracting coil 46 surrounding a core 45 and connected with a gear switch 50 by wire 46a. Battery 5 is connected with an armature holding coil 48 connected with a manually operated switch 46 and with an engine-intake-vacuum responsive switch 66. Coil 46 is ineffective, when energized; to attract armature 45 unaided by coil 46; but

coil 46 will maintain armature 45 in circuit clos-' i position unaided by coil .46.

When relay 4| is closed. solenoid 46 is operative to urge the pawl 26 into contact with the sun gear locking member, and relay l6 isv operative to open the'contacts l6 and I1. However, the relay 4| by-passes these contacts by closing contacts 42a and 43a so that the ignition remains connected with battery 5 while relay 4| is closed. Following the opening of relay 4|, solenoid 4J6 and relay 6 are deenergized and the ignition is interrupted due to the opening of contacts 42a and 43a and is not resumedagain until contacts l6 and H of relay"! close. The reclosing of conmally unbridged by contact 53 held up by a spring 54. Switch 56 is closed when certain of the regular transmission gear trains are established, for

' bridgedby a contact 56 held upby a spring 56.

tacts |6.and I1; is delayed dueto the delay in releasing armature H for a measured time interval following the opening of relay 4|. Hence there is an appreciable time (on the order of .1 second); during which the engine is "dead" so that retraction of the pawl 26 from the sun-gear locking member by spring 22 is facilitated.

Relay 4| has a time delay feature" on dropping out. Its armature 44 will be separated from its core 45, when sealed, by a thin chromium platon the order of .25 second will give a smoother acceleration from speeds below 15 M. P. H., with car in overdrive at the time the throttle is opened.

Contacts 43 and 43a are resiliently mounted on armature 44.

The explanation is found in the fact that the engine must pick up 30 percent speed to catch up with the freewheeling car speed before positive drive relation between engine and car is established. At the time when the engine catches up with the car, a forward urge, resembling a bump, is felt. This bump is less severe when the car is moving relatively fast than when moving slowly. Therefore, if the engine is allowed to give a partial increase in speed to the car while it is yet in overdrive, there will be two steps of acceleration to a given car speed instead of one. One period of acceleration will occur from the time the throttle is opened until the beginning of the dead engine period. The dead engine periodbegins when relay 4| opens. The other acceleration period begins at the instant the engine catches up with the car speed. The time delay results in a faster car speed when the fast acceleration begins, thus minimizing the bump or sudden forward urge.

Switch 56 comprises contacts 5| and 52 nor- When the throttle pedal is depressed a little beyond wide open position, the pedal will engage the rod 56a and cause the switch 55 to open,.

thereby rendering the overdrive inoperative.

Switch 55 is connected directly with resilient contact 62 of a governor or vehicle-speed-responsive switch 66. Switch 56 is connected directly with resilient contact 6| of switch 66. Contacts 6| and 62 are engaged respectively by contacts 66 and 64 mounted on a grounded vane 65 pivoted at 66 and normally held in circuitopen position against a stop 61 by a spring 66. The vane 65 is located in the path of an .air current represented by arrow 66 and caused to-impinge upon vane 65 by the vehicle-engine cooling fan 16. Contacts 62, 64 close at some moderate vehicle speed, for example 25 M. P. H.,.and remain closed above that speed. Due to lag in operation of the governor switch 66, the con! tacts 62, 64 will open at a speed slightly below 25 M. P. H., for example just below 22 M. P. H. At a relatively high vehicle speed, forexample 55 M. P. H., contacts 66, 6| close and remain closed above that speed, thus nullifying the functioning of switch 55 to open control circuit from 464 to ground. A

Switch 66 comprises a vacuum chamber 6| connected by pipe 6|a with the engine intake manifold. Chamber 6| has a flexible wall or diaphragm 62 attached by a rod 63 to a contact 64 urged downwardly by spring 65 against a stop 66. The spring 65 is calibrated so that whenthe vehicle is running with nearly closed throttle above 9 M. P. H., in high gear, contacts 61 and 66 will be bridged by -member 64 due to high vacuum. When the vehicle speed is brought below 9 M. P. H., with the above mentioned gear and throttle settings, the force of spring 65 will predominate to separate member 64 from contacts 61, 66.

Switch 66 comprises stationary contacts 6| and 62 normally bridged by contacts 63 held by spring 64. A rod 65, attached to contact 63, is located in the path of movement of the clutch operating pedal 66 pivoted at 61. Contact 6| is connected by wire 66 with contact 66 of switch 66. Contact 62 is grounded. The'normal use of the clutch pedal 66 in connection with gear shifting does not open switch 66. To open switch 66 the driver must press pedal 66 beyondnormal required for gear shifting and to the extent which obtains when the driver suddenly presses the clutch and brake pedals for a quick stop in trafic. The opening of switch 66 causes relay holding coil 46- to be deenergized so that the transmission may come out of overdrive although switch 66 may be closed. The advantage of clutch pedal control of relay 4| will be apparent from a detailed description of the mode of operation of the system.

In the present system, when the regular vehicle transmission is in high gear and when the vehicle has reached a certain moderate speed, for example 25 M. P. H., switch 56 will be closed and contacts 62, 64 of switch 66 will be closed. The

relay armature attracting coil 46 will be energized to effect closing of relay contacts 42, 46 whereupon the solenoid 48 willjb e energized if; overdrive to be rendered operative.

' ing of the overdrive inoperative is under the conn n etl'ect downward movement of pawl 28 to cause the trol of the .driveruntil the speed ofthe vehicle tracting coil 46. The act of depressing the throttle pedal for this purpose causes-the engine.

intake vacuum to fall below the amount required to hold switch 8!] closed. Therefore, the

relay armature holding coil 48 will be deenergized while the coil 46 is deenergized. -Relay 4| will open and solenoid 40 will be deenergized to allow spring 22 to lift the pawl 20 from the sungear locking ring. Then the overdrive will be rendered inoperative. After the engine has been accelerated, overdrive is restored when the driver quickly releases pressure upon the throttle pedal tocause switch 55 to close and to obtain a reversal of sun gear rotation which in turn causes the solenoid urged pawl to lock the sun gear.

Above 55 M. P. H. for example, contacts 6| and 88 of switch 68 are closed and the transmission I remains in overdrive regardless of the use of the throttle pedal to accelerate since switch 55 has been by-Dassed by switch 68 when its contacts BI and 63 are closed. This feature is desirable while driving in the higher range, because there is no need of dropping back into normal drive when accelerating in this driving range since the speed torque performance of the engine is suited to the overdrive gear ratio. In overdrive control systems now in use, normal drive is automatically restored when the vehicle speed falls appreciably below a certain moderate speed, for example 22 M. P. H. There is nothing the driver can do to maintain overdrive below the opening speed of the governor switch. The system of my present invention provides. for keeping the transmission in overdrive although the vehicle speed may fall to a low value, such as 9 M. P. H., for example, provided the driver does not depress the throttle pedal andcause the engine intake vacuum to diminish below that required to maintain switch 80 closed. After the vehicl transmission has, gone into overdrive at a speed of 25 M. P. H., the vehicle speed may fall substantially below 25 M. P. H., but the overdrive will be maintained if the engine vacuum is not materially reduced since holding coil 48 of relay 4| remainsv ergized and the relay 4| remains closed until he vacuum is reduced to a predetermined value. This feature is advantageous especially when descending asteep hill in gear since the engine is effective as .a' brake only when the transmission is in overdrive. In present overdrive systems the car freewheels when not in overdrive, even for any forward gear set-n ting. In my present control system the overdrive will remain operative so long as the driver desires to use the engine as a brake, even though the driver should shift to second or even to first speed. Obviously, after the steep descent has been made, the driver will wish to accelerate again. The act of'depressing thethrottle pedal to accelerate will reduce the vacuum. Switch The render-' various driving conditions are met by the present overdrive control system. If the car is going down hill at a speed of 25 M. P. H. or above, the govemor switch contacts 62-, 64 will be closed and overdrive with engine braking is available, assuming that the foot has been lifted from the accelerator pedal. This is true because. coil 46 holds the solenoid'clrcuit closed. Coil 48 also is excited due to the high vacuum holding switch 80 closed. Under this condition both coils of the relay 4| are operative to hold the solenoid circuit closed. Should the driver apply the brakes and bring the car speed below 22 M. P. H., switch will open and winding 48 will be deenergized, leaving only winding 48 to hold the solenoid circuit closed. Thus the car will remain in overdrive with engine braking closed, and the solenoid will be deenergized, thus taking the carout of overdrive.

If the descent of a hill is being made at a speed below 22 M. P."H., and the driver shifts to second gear in the usual way, viz (a) disengages clutch, (b) shifts gears, (c) removes foot from clutch pedal, the car will remain in overdrive because the vacuum will not drop enough to break the circuit through the holding coil 48. The foregoing assumes that the hill was approached with the car already operating in overdrive. safe performance is obtained in descending a hill when operating either in third or second gear. As long as the throttle is not suddenly opened, the vacuum will not drop enough to open. switch'88, hence the holding coil as of the relay 4| will" keep the relay contacts closed and the solenoid energized. This holds true until the car is brought .down to about 9 M. P. H. for third gear or 5 M. P. H. for second gear.

Acceleration from any speed below 22 M. P. H. will be accompaniedby a drop in vacuum sufiicient to open-switch 80 which in turn would cause the car to revert to conventional drive. Regardless of either second or third gear setting while decelerating in'overdrive as described above, rapid acceleration is immediately available by suddenly opening the throttle. In general, it may be stated that the car is accelerated in conventional gear, making use of high 'torque, and it is decelerated in overdrive gear,

making use of engine braking. The foregoing description of acceleration is for speed increase from the lower ed range, belowabout 25 M. P. H. When acceleration in conventional drive from points above 25 M. P. H. is desired, it is necessary to press down the accelerator pedal beyond wide open throttle position in a quick manner in order. to open switches 55 and 80 to comv pletely deenergize the relay 4| so the solenoid will dropout, thus takingthe car out of over- Togo back into overdrive, the foot is lifted quickly from the accelerator pedal. This closes switch55, energizesthe solenoid and also slows down the engine, causing the solenoid operated 88 will open; coil 48'will 'be deenergized; relay 4| will open; solenoid 40 will be deenergized; and

normal drive will be restored.

The following is a detailed description of how pawl 20 to lock thegears inoverdrive setting.

"lifting the foot quicklyis necessary whenclimboperated by air current from the engine cool.-

ing fan, if it is set to close at 25 M. P. H. car speed with the transmission in third gear or Thus car speed with the transmission inflrstgear or contacts '62, 64 of switch 60 would close and cause the solenoid to close toover drive position, ready for the car to go into overdrive if and'when the throttle'is quickly closed'an' appreciable amount. -Now,if, without releasing the accelerator pedal to go "into overdrive, the next step is to shift to third gear in the normal manne the following will happen:

(a) Clutch disengaged, a

(b) Accelerator pedal released,

() Shift to third gear,

(d) Clutch re-engaged,

(e) Accelerator pedal pressed down for further speed increase.

The effect of (a) is to prevent slowing down of the sun gear and reversal of same. Therefore, after'operation (a) the solenoid pawl has not placed the car in overdrive. V

The effect of (b) is to raise the vacuum, close switch 80, excite holding coil 48. Also a coincident effect is to drop the engine speed to idle value thus causing air switch 60 to open. The combined result is that coil 48 is excited before switch. 60 opens and the solenoid. will remain operative for its overdrive position, however the car would not be in overdrive because the clutch is still disengaged.

Operation (0) makes no change in solenoid position nor in the gear setting, therefore the solenoid is still operative for overdrive but the car is not in overdrive.

The eifect of (d) is to slow down the sun gear, and if at this time the engine is idling at 11 M. P. H. or below, the car will go into overdrive and be held there because holding coil 48 is still excited through the closed vacuum switch 80.,

The effect of operation (e) is to give-one or the other of two results depending on whether the accelerator pedal is pressed down quickly or slowly. ,If the throttle opening is made slowly, the vacuum would not drop sufficiently to open switch 80 and hence drop out the relay and solenoid. This will keep the car in overdrive and a moderate rate of acceleration will be effected. This would meet the driver's expectation because if he had wanted fast acceleration he would have pressed the accelerator pedal down quickly. If a quick throttle opening is made, coil 48 will be deenergized through opening of switch 80 as a result of low vacuum, and the solenoid would drop out, thus taking the car out of overdrive. This would happen before the car would reach 25 M. P. 1-1., at which speed switch 80 will close and recondition the solenoid to overdrive position. This will result in fast acceleration in conventional third or high" gear. The car could thereafter be placed in overdrive if and when the driver quickly closes the throttle as previously described.

The above describes acceleration through second and third gears from speeds below 25 M. P. H. When acceleration in conventional drive in third gear, from points above 25 M. P. H. and below 55 M. P. H., is desired, it is necessary to press the accelerator pedal beyond wide open throttle position in a quick manner in order'to open both switches 55 and Il to completely deenergize the solenoid relay. to take the car out of overdrive.

When the throttle is quickly but momentarily Assuming that the car has beenbrought up to -15 M. P. H. or above, in second gear, the

closed an appreciable amount, as previously described, the car will revert to overdrive in third or "high" gear. Theswitch 55 closes immediately upon the first part of throttle closure and the "reverting to overdrive follows with further momentary quick closure of the throttle.

' When dropping down in car speed through 25 M. P. H. in third or high gear with the overdrive operating the switch will open at approximately 22 M. P. H.; but, due to a partially 'closed throttle, switch 80 will be held closed and coil 48 will hold the solenoid in overdrive posi- 7 tion. This solenoid position will be held until the car speed is brought down to about 9 M. P. H.,

- switch 80 to open, resulting in the car reverting to conventional drive.

Iithe driver should be going down a long hill and decide, after switch ill has opened to shift to second gear for safety, the car would be in overdrive at the start (held in by coil ll) and disengaging the clutch, would not change this status; neither would shifting to second gear change it, therefore, when the clutch is reengaged, the car will be in overdrive with engine braking available.

After descending a hill in either second or third gear in overdrive, using engine braking, the driver may step on the accelerator pedal quickly and immediately revert to conventional drive for fast acceleration. The drop in vacuum opens switch 80 which breaks the circuit through the relay holding coil 48.

If the clutch operated switch 90 were not in the circuit and if the driver should disengage the clutch and hold it disengaged while he brings the car to a stop with the brake, the switch lll would not open and holding coil 48 would keep the solenoid operated pawl in overdrive position. This is due to high vacuum while engine idles. This method of stopping occurs in tramc and at stop lights. The gearlever may be shifted to neutral or to any forward gear and still the solenoid would have the gears set for overdrive. When starting in the usual manner, the gears would revert to conventional setting if the throttle is opened quickly or slowly, because the vacuum would drop enough to open switch I. If it becamenecessary to back up, difliculty might be experienced with the carstill in overdrive. Therefore, the switch 90, operated by full movement of the clutch pedal 96, has been placed in the circuit to disconnect coil u when the driver stops the car with the brake pedal while, at the same time, depressing the clutch pedal to the limit of its travel. This results in taking the car out of overdrive so that reversal of movement of the car may be obtained through the conventional drive.

If the driver were to stop the car from a speed high enough to have placed the gears in overdrive position, and if the stopping were done with both clutch and brake pedals pressed down. but if the clutch pedal were not depressed sufflciently to open switch 90, and if the driver were to leave the car and to shut of! the ignition, the gears would revert to conventional setting .when the engine vacuum is reduced, because switch would open and, the clutch being disengaged, there would be no side pressure to resis jaaai'pie holding coil 48 has been eliminated, and the contact 81 of switch 80 is connected by,a resistance I and a manually operated switch I III with wire 4611 which connects coil 46 with contact SI of switch 50. If,'after energifmg coil 46 tocause" contacts 42, 43 to close, switch 60 is opened while switches 80 and 90 remain closed, coil 46 will to a predetermined accelerator pedal position for disconnecting the solenoid from the current source to obtain quickacceleration, and means remain connected with battery 44 through resistance I00 and switches 80 and 90 Resistance I" will allow sufilcient current to pass through coil 46 to enable it to act as an armature holding coil (same function as coil 48 of Fig. 1) and the relay 4| will remain closed until either switch 80 or 90 is opened. Resistance Hill is high enough to prevent'closing of relay. 4luntil closed by the completion (of the circuit which includes the switches 50, 55 and 60.

Switch 49 is provided in the system of Fig. 1 and switch IOI is provided in the system of Fig. 2 so that, when the driver desires to free wheel, these switches are opened to prevent the relay 4| from remaining closed after switch 55 or BI] is opened.

From the foregoing description of the construction and mode of operation of my new systern of overdrive control it is apparent that I have provided for:

(a) Overdrive cut-in automaticmly at 25 M. P. H. j

(blOverdrive take-out" manually below 55 M. P. H.

(c) Overdrive stay-in at 55 M. P. H. or greater, regardless of the position of accelerator pedal.

(d) Overdrive stay-in down to as low a 9 M. P. H.', unless the vehicle is accelerated.

While I have stated certain speeds by way of determined moderate vehicle speed for connectresponsiveto engine intake vacuum for main-' but not establishing the connection between the current source and the solenoid although vehicle speed may fall substantially below said predetermined vehicle speed, said last named means being inadequate to connect the current source to the solenoid,.and also-being rendered inoperative by quick'opening of the engine throttle.

3. An overdrive control system comprising a current source, a pawl for engaging the locking ring of the sun gear of arr-overdrive, a solenoid for moving the pawl, means responsive to a preing the current source with the solenoid, means responsive to a predetermined accelerator pedal the current source and the solenoid position for disconnecting the solenoid from the current source to obtain quick acceleration, and means responsive to a predetermined higher, engine speed i'or'.maintaining connection between regardless of operation of the engine throttle.

4. An overdrive control system comprising a current source, a pawl for engaging the locking ring of the sun gear of an overdrive, a solenoid 'ior moving the pawl, means responsive to a pre-,

determined moderate vehicle speed for connect ing the current source with the solenoid, means responsive to .a predetermined accelerator pedal position for disconnecting the solenoid from the current source to Obtain a quick acceleration, means responsive to engine intake vacuum for maintaining but not establishing the connection between the current source and the solenoid although vehicle speed may fall substantially beexample, it should be understbod that my invention is not limited to certain stated speeds but that it can apply to other speeds which may be required. 25 M P. H. is merely typical ofa very moderate driving speed. M. P. H. is merely typical of some speed in the higher range. I contemplated this higher speed'as being something like -65% of the top speed. 9 M. P. H. is merely typical or some very low speed. It could be any speed low enough for all practical purposes.

While the embodiments of the present invention as herein disclosed, constitute preferred forms, it is to be understood that other forms might be adopted, all coming within the scope of the claims which follow.

What is claimed is as follows:

1. An overdrive control system comprising a current source, a pawl for engaging the locking ring of the sun gear of an overdrive, a solenoid for mow'ng the pawl, means responsive to a pre-' determined vehicle speed for connecting the current source with the solenoid and means responsive to engine intake vacuumfor maintaining but not establishing the connection between the current source and the solenoid although low said predetermined vehicle speed, saidlast named means being rendered inoperative by quick opening of the engine throttle and means responsive to a predetermined higher engine speed for maintaining connection between the current source and the solenoid regardless of operation of the engine throttle.

5. An overdrlve control system comprising a current source, a pawl for engaging the locking ring of the sun gear of an overdrive, asolenoid for moving the pawl, a solenoid control relay having an armature movable toward a magnet core for connecting the'current source with the solenoid, and having an armature attracting coil and an armature holding coil, a switchresponsive to a predetermined vehicle or engine speed for connecting the current source with the armature attracting'coil, and a switch responsive to engine intake vacuum for connecting the current source with the armature holding coil whereby. if the armature has been attracted, it will be held in attracted position although vehicle or engine speed may fall substantially below said predetermined speed, provided a certain intake vacuum is maintained.

6. A system according to claim 5 having also a switch responsive to a predetermined travel of accelerator pedal for disconnecting the current vehicle speed may fall substantially below said predetermined vehicle speed.

2. An overdrive control system comprising a current source, a pawl for engaging the locking ring of the sun gear of an overdrive, a solenoid for moving the pawl, means responsive to a predetermined vehicle speed for connecting the current source with the solenoid, means responsive source from the armature attracting'coil, said vacuum switch opening the circuit of the armature holding coil in response to the quick opening of the engine throttle.

'7 A system according to claim 5 having also a switch responsive to the position of the accelerator pedal for disconnecting the current source from the armature attracting coil, said vacuum switch opening the circuit of the armature holding coil in response to the quiclr opening of the engine throttle and having a switch responsive to a predetermined higher engine noid, and mean adequate to maintain the solenoid circuit in closed condition but inadequate to close said circuit, said last named means being responsive to engine intake vacuum.

9. An overdrive control system comprising a current source, a pawl for engaging the locking ring of the sun gear of an overdrive, electromagnetic means for moving the pawl, engine speed responsive means for connecting the current source with the electromagnetic means, and

means adequate to maintain the circuit the electromagnetic means in closed condition but inadequate to close said circuit, said last means being responsive to intake vacuum. I

10. An overdrive control system comprising a current source, a pawl for engaging the locking ring of the sun gear of an overdrive, a solenoid for moving the pawl, a solenoid control relay having an actuating coil with one end connected to the current source terminal and the other end connected to a control terminal; said control terminal being attached to two control circuits, the first of which comprises an air operated switch, for an engine speed responsive means, and a plurality of other switches, all connected in series relation between said control terminal and ground side of the current source, and the second control circuit comprising a vacuum responsive switch, a clutch operated switch, a manually operated switch and also a resistor unit, all connected in series relation between said control terminal and ground side of current source.

11. A system according to claim 10 having 

